The Information Technology Services (ITS) team of staff and student assistants exists to provide professional assistance to college faculty, students, and staff for all their technology needs. From network connection and account management, to equipment rental and repair services, we are here for you!
Our Networks
All classrooms, labs, and offices have access to wired or wireless connections to the Internet. ECWiFi, ECGuest, and EduRoam are campus-wide networks; wireless connection is available even in outdoor spaces! Surf the web on South Beach, in the Palm Hammock, Slater Woods, or under our chickees! We have teamed with Boldyn to provide reliable, strong residential connection via the ResNet network. Boldyn offers our students 24/7 support: via chat, email, or phone call.
Registering your Equipment
Upon your arrival to campus, register any device that requires an internet connection to ResNet. ITS provides instructions for how to do so. Guides are also posted throughout the dorm lounges and foyers.
ITS is here to help.
Armacost Library
Monday-Friday: 8:30 am-5pm
Remember!
ITS will never ask you for your password or for you to verify your password. Be suspicious of any email asking you to do so. When in doubt contact us. Always use the ReACT Password Reset Tool when updating your myEckerd password.
IT services
Computer Support for Students
- ITS provides free diagnostic support for students experiencing problems with their personal devices. You need only to bring your device, and its charger. The device must be brought to us by the owner; we will not accept it otherwise.
- Nota bene: we strongly recommend that you verify your PC’s warranty status. Due to policies of most warranties, ITS repair technicians are permitted to provide only diagnoses to devices currently under warranty. Please note that we can not offer any verbal or written warranty, expressed or implied, for work done on your PC.
If the issue can not be remediated by our team, or is under warrantee and a diagnosis has been provided, we will then do the following: suggest items you may need to purchase, or replace, following the completed diagnosis–or, take your device to a local repair specialist. Please consult this guide for recommended external repair facilities within the Tampa Bay region.
- Nota bene: we strongly recommend that you verify your PC’s warranty status. Due to policies of most warranties, ITS repair technicians are permitted to provide only diagnoses to devices currently under warranty. Please note that we can not offer any verbal or written warranty, expressed or implied, for work done on your PC.
Printing
- Printing is available in the library, and five other locations on campus through our Papercut system. All students will receive a $60 printing credit, which is renewed at the beginning of each academic year. An online Copy Center is also available to students for all advanced printing needs.
For more information on campus printing services, consult our Student Printing Page here.
Labs:
- A general computer lab is available on a 24×7 basis in the Armacost library. There are 12 additional academic computer labs located throughout campus. For a full list of lab locations and capabilities, please click here.
Need Equipment?
- Students can borrow projectors, cameras, screens, laptops and other equipment from ITS for short durations at no charge. Ensure your Eckerd Student ID card is brought, as it is needed to complete the rental agreement.
Join Us!
- ITS is always looking for qualified students to join our staff. Contact us to learn how you might join one of the ITS student teams!
Google Suite for Education
Google Suite for Education (G Suite)
- G Suite is a hosted suite of applications, including communication (Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar) and collaboration (Google Docs, Google Video, Google Sites) tools. G Suite also integrates with Google’s search engine and provides robust searching within all of these applications. Google provides unlimited storage space for Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
You can access the frequently-used Google Apps from MyEckerd, or via the links below. Log in using your Eckerd College email address and password. Once logged in, you can access other Google Apps using the keypad icon (the square composed of nine circles) at the top right of any Google Chrome screen.
Microsoft Office 365
Eckerd also provides students access to Microsoft Office 365. This allows students to access online and installable versions of Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. A full listing of the available apps on Eckerd’s Office 365 A3 license are available here.
Once enrolled students can access Microsoft Office 365 using their @eckerd.edu email address and password at https://portal.office.com. This license will remain available as long as you are actively enrolled at Eckerd College.
New to Eckerd?
Here’s What to Buy:
Suggestions for Purchasing New Computers
- Operating System: Windows 11 or macOS Sequoia
- Backup: we suggest that you purchase an external hard drive and regularly backup your data. If you use Apple’s Time Machine, a built-in backup feature for macOS, you will need an external drive. Typically, two terabyte drives are available for about $60-90. Cloud storage options include Google Drive, Drop Box, and iCloud Backup.
- Memory: minimum of 32GB RAM. Most newer PC models have this amount of storage available, lessening the need of purchasing additional storage options. The greater amount of RAM, the better. If you anticipate you will be creating large videos or pieces of media, opt for more RAM.
- Processor Speed: minimum of Intel Core Ultra 5 or equivalent, or minimum M4 10 core CPU for Apple.
- Hard Drive: 512 GB or larger. While we recommended you purchase a Solid State Drive (SSD) for improved performance and reliability, it is not always needed.
- Wireless: Any WiFi device that supports 802.11ac and WPA2 Enterprise. This should be standard on almost all laptops and all-in-one computers. You may need to add a wireless card to tower models, unless you plan to connect via Ethernet as below.
- Ethernet: as wireless network access has become more prevalent, some laptop manufacturers have stopped installing Ethernet Cards for network cable access in certain models of laptops. In this case, we recommend purchasing a USB Ethernet Adapter. This provides you with an alternate way of accessing the Internet. Keep in mind: wired is always faster than wireless!
- Monitor (Desktop): Minimum 24” add-on monitor screen for desktop devices (PC or Mac Mini) with a resolution of at least 1920×1080. The iMac 24” is popular as well.
- Screen Size (Laptop): 14″ with a resolution of at least 1920×1080, as well.
Mac or PC?
Our students are about 50-50 Mac to PC so either will work well on campus. This is largely a matter of personal preference. ChromeBooks are inexpensive, but very limited in function and apps they are capable of running. For example, they will not run Microsoft Office. Check with your faculty mentor or with itshelp@eckerd.edu for further advice on specific models and purchasing advice.
Warranty
Most retail computers have a 1 year warranty; we suggest you upgrade the manufacturer’s warranty to cover at least 5 years.
- Nota bene: Laptop warranties generally do not cover screen damage, such as cracking. Check with the manufacturer to see if they offer accidental damage coverage in lieu of the standard warranty.
Anti Virus
Students using personal computers at Eckerd are required to use active antivirus software updated with current virus definitions.
- Current definitions are regularly updated databases that antivirus software uses to identify and protect against malware and other online threats; they update typically on a weekly basis.
- Windows 11 comes with Microsoft Defender built in to the operating system, but you can also download other antivirus applications if you have a preference.
- macOS utilizes XProtect, yet we still recommend you download an antivirus application.
- There are many free and low-cost options available, but please be aware that only one (1) antivirus program can be used at a time.
Setting Up Your PC
For Mobile Devices:
Already have a Gmail account?
Discounts
As an Eckerd College student, faculty member, or staff member, you can take advantage of a wide range of excellent discounts offered to members of our community.
Apple provides educational discounts for a variety of Apple products.
Educational discounts on everything you need with savings up to 85% off commercial software list prices.
Dell provides educational discounts for a variety of products.
Worldwide provider of discounted software for students and teachers. 24×7 live-person chat and telephone support.
Verify your student status to unlock access to hundreds of high-quality discounts, from travel to technology to apparel. Verification of your student account is required in order to receive any discount provided by this service.
Visiting Campus?
ECguest is available for short term guest access. After you connect to this network, a web browser will open. Input your name, email address, and phone number. Once this is completed, you will receive a guest pass that is viable for the following seven days. Input the code when prompted to begin using this network.
- If you are hosting an event on campus, you can generate this code for your guests in advance. Multiple guests can use the same guest pass. More detailed instructions are available here.
If you are visiting from another institution that supports the Eduroam wireless network, Eckerd College offers this network connection option.
